Farewell

Farewellicon

by Edward Creagan MD, Sandra Wendel

Publisher
Write On Ink Publishing
Publication
Jan 01, 2024
Format
Paperback/Softback
Illustrated
No
Price
$19.95
Dimensions
6 x 9 x 0.7 in
ISBN
978-0991654482
ASIN
099165448X
Pages
278
Age
Adult 18+
Category
Health & FitnessMind, Body, SpiritSelf-Help

Rights Sold

LanguageKoreanCountryWorldwideAgentAMO AgencyBuyerNamu's Mind Publishers
*DropCap does not represent Chinese (Simplified) Print language rights

Description

UPDATED 2024
FINALIST for Foreword's Indie Book of the Year

Mayo Clinic's esteemed Dr. Edward Creagan has dedicated his life to death. And now this esteemed medical doctor examines death, not only from a medical standpoint, but from an acutely emotional perspective as events beyond our control unfold.

Being present at the bedside—and EVEN AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH—can become an experience embedded in the minds and souls of family members for generations. It is a deeply emotional time, one of relief and sadness. Anyone who has taken that final journey with a loved one will never, ever forget those moments.

For more than forty years, he has been at the bedside with patients at Mayo Clinic, addressing the end-of-life questions patients and their families ask. He is Mayo's first board-certified hospice and palliative specialist.

This book is about navigating those last days, at the bedside, and saying farewell with hope, love, and compassion.

Dr. Ed answers these questions and more:

  • How can we die a good death?
  • What happens at the deathbed?
  • What is death, actually?
  • Why does a person's life story matter at the end of life?
  • Doc, how long do I have to live?
  • What is hospice?
  • What if the family doesn't agree on treatment? Now what?
  • How do we control pain at the end of life?
  • What is DNR?
  • Should there be a feeding tube?
  • Who pulls the plug?
  • Can you help me understand the advance directive?
  • Who cares for the caregivers?
From the Introduction: "Sadly, many of you may be reading this book because you are sitting at the bedside of a loved one whose health is declining. You are in the eye of the medical storm. I hope my words will give you the type of hope I have given to thousands of families and patients over the years in my practice at the Mayo Clinic. I don't know you, but I know where you are and the questions you need answers to."


Awards & Endorsements

Finalist, Foreword's Indie Book of the Year


Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP

"Every human deserves dignity and peace in the final chapter of life. Written by a caring physician with experience in palliative care and deep knowledge of the dying process, Farewell is a must-read book that could help each of us personally and also benefit those caring for the terminally ill."
Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP
Cofounder, Chopra Center for Wellbeing
Book Life
Retired oncologist and palliative care specialist Creagan (How Not to Be My Patient) explores end-of-life issues for patients and their loved ones in this practical guide. "Life is a journey. The dying process is the last segment of that journey, and death is simply the final moment," he writes, drawing from personal anecdotes—including the death of his stepfather—and professional case studies to deliver straightforward, passionate advice on handling the daunting but inevitable journey of transitioning on from this life.
Creagan utilizes clear, concise pointers here, breaking down step-by-step what loved ones and patients can expect in their last days—though he acknowledges there are many variables at play that can make the experience different for each individual. There are "fairly predictable phases of dying," he writes, such as more exhaustion, withdrawal from others, and confusion, but he reminds readers that "death is never convenient." Touching on patient preferences, comfort, dignity, and planning ahead, Creagan urges readers to be fully informed and prepared for the emotional journey they have in store—and offers several functional resources as well, including how to understand Do Not Resuscitate documents, last will and testaments, and the mechanics of organ donation.
"This book is about navigating those last days and saying farewell with hope, love, and compassion," Creagan writes, and that reverent stance permeates his guidance, offering those going through the dying process—as well as their family and friends—reassurance that this life stage can be approached with compassion and consideration. From funeral planning to the costs that often accompany end-of-life care to physician-assisted suicide, Creagan delves into challenging but crucial topics, and includes resources at the end for further reading (a link to free advance directives is particularly helpful). "These end-­of-­life journeys are never easy, even in the best of circumstances," he encourages readers, but this valuable resource can help smooth the path.
Takeaway: Comprehensive and caring guide to end-of-life planning.
Kirkus Reviews

"An insightful primer on dying with dignity, full of plainspoken wisdom."

Kirkus Reviews (recommendation: "Get it.")

Author(s)

Edward Creagan MD

Edward T. Creagan, MD, FAAHPM, is a medical oncologist and hospice and palliative care specialist who practiced at the Mayo Clinic for more than forty Minnesota winters until he stepped away from active clinical practice in late 2018. He is professor emeritus of medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic Medical School where he held the endowed chair as the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine, and he is now Emeritus Professor of Humanism in Medicine and an Emeritus Consultant in Palliative Medicine there. He was named Outstanding Educator from the Mayo Clinic School of Continuing Medical Education and has received the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award—Mayo Clinic’s highest honor. He completed an elected term as President of the Mayo Staff. Dr. Creagan was the first Mayo Clinic consultant board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. He is also board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Ed (as he is known) received his medical training at New York Medical College and earned graduate degrees in internal medicine and oncology at the University of Michigan and the National Cancer Institute before joining the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2015, he received the Ellis Island Medal for contributions of descendants of immigrants. He is the author of over 500 scientific papers and has given more than 1,000 presentations throughout the world, including his home state of New Jersey. As an accomplished speaker, his presentations to both professional and consumer audiences are notoriously funny yet filled with useful lifestyle information on such topics as the healing power of pets, preventing stress and burnout, and surviving retirement. His presentations have such appealing titles and motivational content as Dr. Ed’s 8 Commandments for Living Well, How to Live Long Enough to Cash In Your 401(k), and How to Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen. He is available to speak to corporate, consumer, and medical groups and ...
Edward T. Creagan

Edward T. Creagan

Edward T. Creagan, MD, FAAHPM, is a medical oncologist and hospice and palliative care specialist who practiced at the Mayo Clinic for more than forty Minnesota winters until he stepped away from active clinical practice in late 2018.

He is professor emeritus of medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic Medical School where he held the endowed chair as the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine, and he is now Emeritus Professor of Humanism in Medicine and an Emeritus Consultant in Palliative Medicine there.

Dr. Creagan was the first Mayo Clinic consultant board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. He is also board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.

Dr. Ed (as he is known) received his medical training at New York Medical College and earned graduate degrees in internal medicine and oncology at the University of Michigan and the National Cancer Institute before joining the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

As an accomplished speaker, his presentations to both professional and consumer audiences are notoriously funny yet filled with useful lifestyle information on such topics as the healing power of pets, preventing stress and burnout, and surviving retirement. His presentations have such appealing titles and motivational content as Dr. Ed’s 8 Commandments for Living Well, How to Live Long Enough to Cash In Your 401(k), and How to Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen.

He blogs on Medium and at AskDoctorEd.com and is a popular TikTok star with his quick doses of health advice.

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